Potters Bowl serves up funds for Community Free Clinic

HAGERSTOWN — The annual Potters Bowl was a sellout Sunday as 250 people turned out at the Elks Club on Robinwood Drive for a soup feast to benefit the Community Free Clinic.

All the $50 tickets for the event were sold and it was hoped the dinner would raise about $17,000 for the clinic, said Carol Mendelsohn, spokeswoman for the event.

Organizers of the dinner commission artists to create soup bowls, which attendees get to keep after sampling a variety of soups.

“We’re going for a full set,” said Mike Fuss of Hagerstown, who has been going to the event for about four years.

Fuss was waiting to get in the building, along with other guests who stood in a line that stretched into the parking lot.

Connie Mozingo was attending the fundraiser for the first time.

The Hagerstown resident said she was asked to join the board of directors for the free clinic after volunteering at the facility.

“It’s been a passion of mine. I love it there,” Mozingo said.

Mozingo said she feels a special connection with the clinic after watching people getting their health needs met there.

Mozingo said many people who show up at the medical clinic are “working poor” who do not have medical insurance. Some of the patients have part-time jobs, while others have lost their jobs and picked up new ones that do not have health insurance, Mozingo said.

Mozingo said the community has embraced the clinic and there are various fundraisers for the facility that raise from $100 on up.

Gary and Carol Bryan, who are regulars to the fundraiser, work in the medical field.

“We know the need,” said Gary Bryan as he stood in line.

In addition to ticket sales for the dinner, money at Sunday’s event also was raised through silent and live auctions, and raffles.

Artwork was being auctioned Sunday and a new artist being featured was Todd Grosebeck.

“He does a lot of local scenes,” said Mendelsohn, pointing out a picture Grosebeck created of the old City Light plant.